Reblooming help

[PamelaNC]

I received a Phaleonopsis (sp?) for my birthday last November. It was beautiful, and bloomed for 6 full months. I searched several places on Web and found conflicting information regarding where to cut the stem after the last bloom faded. I cut the stem just below the last bloom. The stem is 11 inches from the leaves, but it is now producing leaves just below where I cut the stem. Please, someone, let me know if I've done the right thing, if I haven't, can it be fixed??? THANKS

[PhalPal]

Hi PamelaNC Welcome to the forum!

You haven't done anything wrong and it most certainly can be fixed. There are many different ways to treat a spike after the blooms have faded and you will get varying opinions on what to do. Nobody is right and nobody is wrong, just different methods of growing. Sometimes the decision you will make has to do with the condition of your phal after blooming.

I like to let a plant recoup and start growing leaves and roots after a long blooming cycle. I enjoy helping the plant to make new growths besides flowers. I cut the spike down to about 1/2 inch from where it sprouted, all the way off. It is possible some phals will give you a sub-set of flowers from a spike where all the blooms have faded, which is why someone told you to cut it just above the node. I find these flowers to be few in number and and not quite the quality as the full bloom which is why I do what I do. There isn't much harm in trying if your phal is in good condition and not in need of immediate repotting. If the spike begins to dry up, just cut it off and wait for the next blooming season.

[PamelaNC]

Thanks. So your advice would be to cut the spike off 1/2 inch from the root and then just wait for it to do its thing? Is there any timeframe to go by, say if it hasn't bloomed in x number of months I should give up? Thanks, again.

[PhalPal]

If you cut if down to 1/2 inch there will be no re-bloom on that spike. You will need to wait for the next blooming cycle for your orchid which may be this time next year. Phals usually bloom in the Fall unless 'forced' by the grower to bloom out of season.

[PamelaNC]

Done. Thanks a bunch. Wish me luck!!

[Tobi]

Hi Pamela and welcome to the forum. I agree with what PhalPal suggested
as well. After a long blooming time it's probably best to cut the spike back
the the base of the crown to encourage good growth for the next blooming
season. Don't be discouraged if it takes a couple of blooming seasons before
it flowers again. Sometimes orchids take a while to get adjusted to their
new surroundings. Also I would get a culture sheet as to the proper care
for your plant from American Orchid Society
Good growing and if you have any questions, please ask. There are alot
of people here with great knowledge on Phals.